Though I currently live in Kansas, Missouri (particularly the St. Louis area) is home to me, and I love getting back as often as possible. I am a one-woman convention and visitor's bureau, always spreading the word about how great Missouri is...but honestly, if people would rather just visit and not stay, that's fine, too. We like our elbow room here. :)
I thought that, since I already have a couple of other blogs, I'd add one about historic sites that can be visited in Missouri--that will give me even more of an excuse to get out and travel through our beautiful state, where the rivers run! It may be a tourism motto, but it's really true!
And it is also a good segue for my very first post on here. I thought I'd start with something that is not far from where I live, Historic Fort Osage in Sibley, MO. This is, of course, a wonderful site for anyone, but for those in the KC Metro area, it's an excellent local destination. Though they are open all year, you may consider making a trip there on the weekend (including Friday!) of September 23rd-25th, for the Grand Fete. Yes, that is a French festival. Why French? Keep reading. :)
Fort Osage itself was built in 1808 under the direction of William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame. In June of 1804, at the onset of the Corps of Discovery expedition, he noted the future site for the fort in his journal:
"Directly opposite, on the south, is a high commanding position, more than 70 feet above high water mark, and overlooking the river, which is here of but little width. This spot has many advantages for a fort and trading post with the Indians." And indeed, after the end of the expedition, General Clark returned to the area, with a retinue that included Capt. Mackey Wherry of St. Charles, leading eighty dragoons; Nathan Boone, the youngest son of Daniel; Paul Loise, an Indian interpreter who may have been Pierre Chouteau's son; and, as his aide-de-camp, Sylvestre Labbadie, Jr., Pierre and Auguste Chouteau's nephew. Clark obtained a large land concession from the Osage Indians in the area (this left them with very little of their ancestral homeland in Missouri). Captain Eli Clemson became the first commander of the fort. A trading post was also built, and this was operated by George Sibley, who of course is the namesake of the town that surrounds the fort.
The fort itself was abandoned during the War of 1812, but it was re-garrisoned in 1814. However, it was abandoned again by 1827. The fort and stockade that are present today are not original, they were rebuilt in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. The trading post is also a rebuilt building, however, you can see the foundation line of the original building in the basement, which is open to the public.
The site includes a modern education center, which houses a museum containing items including furniture from the original trading post, newspapers of the time period, Osage Indian dress and accessories, and information about the Osage and Hopewell tribes This area is surrounded by significant Osage and Hopewell Indian archaeological sites, and there is an archaeologist on staff. There are also colorful exhibits on the region's natural history. There is a gift shop in the education center, and a smaller one in the trading post. This is a very family friendly destination, and during the warmer months, you are likely to see lizards, frogs, toads, and wildflowers. There is also a path to the river, bring industrial strength bug spray!
The Grand Fete (also known as The Grand Festival of Chez les Canses) at Fort Osage will take place from September 23rd-25th, and is open to the public during the day. While even the name St. Louis indicates that city's French heritage, the French also had a presence in the Kansas City area. The Chouteau family were a trading presence along the river in the second half of the 18th century (and indeed, Francois Gesseau Chouteau and his wife Berenice set up a trading post at what would become the downtown area of Kansas City), but the French voyageurs had been plying the river for decades before that. The Fete celebrates the French heritage of the area by recreating the mid 18th century frontier French lifestyle. There will be nature walks, gunsmithing and blacksmithing demonstrations, music, and hornwork. The 1750s French habitant group that I am a member of will be setting up a tailor shop inside one of the blockhouses, and holding cooking demonstrations right outside.
The site also includes a historic cemetery (including burials of soldiers from Fort Osage and Fort Atkinson, NE, between 1810 and 1820) that overlooks the Missouri River. Sibley Orchards and Cider Mill is only a few minutes from the fort, and the historic attractions of Independence, MO, are a short 20 minute drive.
Map showing location of Sibley, MO
http://www.jacksongov.org/fortosage/
http://www.historicsibleymo.com/
Fort Osage is a certified site on both the Lewis and Clark and Santa Fe Trails. http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section1/mocities/kansascity/fortosage/index.htm
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